Hiking Collection by visit Jena
The Saalehorizontale – Germany's most beautiful hiking trail 2023
9 days
2-5 h/day
113km
3,090m
3,090m
Nature and culture, modernity and classicism, cultural landscape and geological history come together on this long-distance hiking trail. On the one hand, you walk through Thuringian villages characterised by half-timbered houses, see magnificent castles on hills overlooking small towns, and explore castle ruins from the Middle Ages. On the other hand, you catch glimpses of the modern skyline of the beautiful university town of Jena again and again as you walk along narrow paths on steep mountain slopes.
You follow in the footsteps of Napoleon, Emperor Otto I, Goethe and Schiller, stop in cosy restaurants and hostels which serve famous regional hospitality, and enjoy specialities such as Thuringian grilled sausage, red cabbage, dumplings and beef roulades. To accompany your meal, you can also enjoy a tasty beer and wine from the local wine-growing regions – a hiking holiday on the SaaleHorizontale is a journey for all your senses. You will remember the special views over the wide countryside, the deep valleys, imposing buildings, villages and towns for a long time.
This could also be due to your sore muscles. The stages, including entry and exit, are between 9 and 18 kilometres (5.5 and 11 miles) long and you will climb up to 500 metres (1,640 feet) in altitude per day. Depending on your fitness, you should plan five to nine days for the Tour. However, the individual stages are designed in such a way that you can also easily hike them individually. Surefootedness is required in some steep and stony places. Good shoes and walking poles are recommended. You can take the train or bus to Jena, arriving at Jena-Paradies or Jena-West station. Buses and trams are a comfortable way to get around the city too. You can get to the starting point – Platanenstraße stop – with lines 3 and 5 (direction Lobeda-Ost). Further information on route planning can be found at the following link: vmt-thueringen.de. Now you can look forward to far-reaching views and eventful days around Jena!
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SaaleHorizontale
91.5km
2,400m
2,430m
Last updated: July 25, 2025
Do it yourself!
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Activities
Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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12.6km
03:47
370m
420m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
9.26km
02:44
250m
210m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
10.9km
03:07
260m
260m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
12.3km
03:32
280m
320m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Collection Stats
Activities
9
Distance
113 km
Duration
33:51 h
Elevation
3,090 m
3,090 m
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